What Memorial Day means to me

I lost a son in a war.

He went to war to fight for freedom.

Freedom from oppression.  Specifically, radical Islamist oppression.  Those folks would have it one way and it's all their way.

That ain't America.


But, Memorial Day is much bigger than this one fight.

America is a land of freedom.

And, in order to protect our freedom, sometimes, war is the only answer.  If an oppressor of American freedom comes along, our military is there to keep them at bay.

Memorial Day honors the 1.4 million in our history that fought for our freedoms and died in the process.  They gave all for your freedom to think and act however you want.

Freedom means you are free to be who you want to be.  And you are free to become anything you can figure out how to accomplish.

We are the only country in the world that allows this.


I am free to be a professing Christian.

My next door neighbor is free to be an Orthodox Jew.

My next door neighbor is free to be an atheist.

My next door neighbor is free to believe in UFOs.

My best friend can be black or brown or any other color.

My best friends can be gay.


I don't have to agree with any of them on religion or morals.  So long as we all agree that America and our ideals of freedom are what's important.


Our enemy is anyone that wants to reduce our freedoms.

Freedom of worship.

Freedom of assembly.

Freedom of protest.

Freedom of speech.


At Pete's funeral, the folks from Westboro Baptist Church were there proclaiming there spew of hate.  Pete died, as did all of the others, to protect their freedom of speech and assembly.  Odd, disturbing, but true.


America was created by folks that wanted out of tyranny of feudalism and a governing religion.

America was not formed by the Southern Baptist Convention, the Roman Catholic Church or any other one group.

America was formed by folks that wanted to be free.


There's a reason we don't have an official language.  America welcomes all.  It makes life complicated, but that's our program.  All are welcome.

For all of us, let's respect those men and women who died for this idea of freedom.

Take a few minutes on Memorial Day to say thanks for those that have given all.  And, for those who are currently wearing the Cloth of the Nation and willing to give it all.

Why SIXSITE won't be having a Memorial Day Sale

SIXSITE Closing on Memorial Day in Push to Remember Heroes Who Died for Our Freedom

Veteran-owned retailer will go dark on one of the biggest sale days of the year; challenges others to do the same

Dallas (May 1, 2018) – While millions of Americans celebrate Memorial Day as the start of summer, veterans and loved ones of fallen military members wish the holiday that honors more than 1 million people who died serving their country would command more respect.

“In an effort to encourage Americans to spend time thinking about these sacrifices, we won’t be having a Memorial Day sale,” SIXSITE founder, designer and veteran U.S. Navy SEAL Stephen Holley says. “In fact, our website will go dark on Memorial Day. We hope other retailers will follow.”

SIXSITE is a high-performance hunting and outdoor apparel and gear provider. It manufactures its products exclusively in America. To keep prices reasonable, SIXSITE sells direct-to-consumer at www.sixsitegear.com, but on this major shopping day its online store will go dark.

Alan Burks, general manager and chief operating officer at SIXSITE and Gold Star Father, adds, “For most of us here, there is a fallen soldier buried somewhere nearby. Please go visit their grave and ponder their life and death. If you can’t get there in person, join in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time to pause in an act of national unity for some who gave it all.”